Apparatus for turning plate glass



' J. KRISTOF APPARATUS FOR TURNING PLATE GLASS Nov. 26, 1935.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 11, 1955 gvwmm John Hri $505",

NOV. 26, J KRlSTOF APPARATUSFOR TUENING PLATE GLASS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Feb.

Nov.26, 1935. J, KRSTOF -2,022,242

APPARATUS FOR TURNING PLATE GLASS Filed Feb. 11, 1935 s SheetsSheet 5 a?.3. K #8 2a '5 f v 31 -3 W 69 C?) GD 69 26 I 25 1T w M is Patented Nov.26, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,022,242 APPARATUS FOR TURNINGPLATE GLA SS' John Kristof, New Kensington, Pa.

Application February 11, 1935, Serial No. 6,111

8 Claims.

In the manufacture of plate glass in large scale production systems, itis necessary to remove or segregate certain sheet units from a mainconveyor to temporary supports for special examination or treatment orto conveyors for distribution to particular points of delivery, as forpacking, storage, etc.

It is the aim of this invention to present an improved and novel meansfor the handling of large plates of glass in such operations. It is animportant aim to present a device adapted to .remove a large plate froma conveyor table to another support spaced therefrom, and at will eitherinvert the plate, or dispose it on the new support in the same positionas when lifted from the first. An important purpose is to present anovel construction in automatic apparatus for effecting the removal ofglass plates from a conveyor with safety .and despatch. It will beunderstood that plate glass sheets involve great weight, and the use ofheavy mechanism which must function promptly and accurately to avoiddamage to the product, and it is therefore an important aim of theinvention to evolve novel and desirable means for controlling movementof lifting devices for the ends in view.

An important aim of the invention is to present a novel means forenabling the transfer and inversion of a plate or simple translation ofthe plate without inversion at the will of the operator.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of parts involved in theembodiment of the invention, as will appear from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan of aconveyor table with my turn-over device disposed over a receiving table.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the conveyor table, the turnover deviceand receiving table, with the turnover device on the conveyor table.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the turn-over device at right angles toFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail of the reversing switch.

Figure 5 is an elevation of the turn-over device from the left of Figure3.

Figure 6 is a detail of the conveyor table.

Figure '7 is a detail of one form of receiving table.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail of the mounting of the control sprocketfor the turning frame.

; Figure 9 shows the wiring diagram for the control devices.

There is illustrated a conveyor table ID, of familiar constructioninvolving a frame ll supporting a horizontal series of transverseparallel revoluble shafts l2 having glass supporting rolls or wheels l3thereon, the shafts all having sprockets M at one side of the framelldriven by a common chain I5, so that all the wheels 5 rotate in thesame direction, and are adapted thereby to move a plate in the directionof the arrow in Figure 1. At the end of the frame ll an emergency switchit may be located if desired, to be operated by impingement of a glass10 plate passing upon the wheels I3 in case such plate is not engagedand removed by my turnover device or otherwise.

Beside the table ill, my turn-over device, socalled, is installedcomprising a main horizontal 15 shaft l1 (journalled in floor bracketsl8 near or at the plane of the upper sides of the wheels l3), anelectric motor l9, and a reduction gear train 20 by which the main shaftis rotated. The shaft ll carries two parallel radial carrier arms 2|fixed 20 on the shaft I! near its ends at right angles to the shaft, andat the outer ends of the arms there is revolubly mounted a horizontalrock shaft 22, on one end of which outwardly of one arm 2| a sprocket 23is fixed, having an endless chain 24 therearound extended to and arounda similar sprocket 25 fitted for rotation at times on a sleeve 26 fixedupon the adjacent bracket I8, this sleeve serving as the bearing for theshaft I! at this end. The sprocket 25 is adapted to be fixed on thesleeve by means of a removable key 21. The shaft 22 may be releasablypinned to the arms 22 as at 21'.

The arc of movement of the shaft 22 on the arms 2| falls on the mediallongitudinal line of the conveyor table Hi, and fixed in a common planeon and transverse to the shaft 22 there is a plurality of straight barsor arms 28 having a suitable number of vacuum cups 29 thereon, (allpresented in one direction), together comprising alifter frame 36, onecup being shown at each end in each bar 28 in the present instance.These cups are symmetrically located with respect to the width of thetable l0 when the lifting frame is thereadjacent as will be described.On the lifter frame there is a branched air conduit 3! having connectionwith all the cups and with a flexible hose 32 from a springclosed valve33 mounted on the shaft 22 nearest the terminal end of the table Ill.The valve includes an operating arm 34 adapted to be engaged andoperated to open the valve by a plate when moved to position for liftingby the frame 30. From the valve 33 a hose 3| leads to a suitableexhausting apparatus not shown, with an intermediate control valve 35located conveniently for manual operation. This valve is preferably atwo-way valve with atmospheric vent to release the cups 29 at oneposition. On the shaft 22 near the Valve 33 there is located a doublepole double throw reversing switch 36 (see Figure 9) by which forwardand reverse circuits to the motor are closed alternately. This switch isa spring actuated switch tending to close the reverse circuit, and hasan operating arm 31 interposed in the path of the glass plates movedover or under the frame 39 upon the wheels of the table I9 when theframe 39 is in position to receive glass plate. This arm 31 ispreferably so located that the valve 33 will have been opened by theglass plate an instant before the switch 36 is closed. The valve 33 doesnot include any air admission or atmospheric vent, for releasing thecups, such release being effected solely by the valve 35.

On the shaft H and bracket I8 at one side means is provided forautomatically stopping the motor after each half turn of the shaft 11,or such degree of movement as required for the function of the apparatusas will be explained. This means consists of a stop arm 38 fixed on theshaft I8 and limit switches 39 and 49 of suitable constructionrespectively interposed in the forward and reverse circuits, M and 42.These switches are spring closed, and have operating arms 43 moved bythe arm 38 as the latter reaches respective limits of its movement, asshown in Figure 4, and held depressed until opposite rotation of theshaft I'I occurs. A wiring diagram for the switches is shown in Figure9. On the opposite side of the turn-over device from the table 59 thereis located a receiving table 59, which may be of construction similar tothe table I9 or may be a solid support or other construction. In thepresent instance, in what is known as an air lift table, and includes aframe II carrying shafts I2 and wheels I3 in an arrangement similar tothat on the table I9, and an operating chain I and sprockets I4 operatedat will or otherwise by a motor 5| on the frame I I. The frame II issupported on a piston element 52 operating in a cylinder 53 with acompressed air or other liquid supply 54 which may be controlled at willin any customary manner, so as to eifect raising and lowering of thetable 59 as required.

The table 59 may be part of a conveyor of any desired length anddirection, as required, or may be used to deliver a received plate whenthe motor 5| is operated. The table II] may also include an airlift forthat part adjacent the turnover device similar to that at table 59.

The table I9 has the wheels I3 located so that the shaft 22 may fallmedially between two mutually adjacent longitudinal series of wheels atthe respective limit of movement of the lifter frame 39 on the arms 2|.The bars 28 of the lifter frame are so located and spaced that they mayfall in respective spaces between shafts I2, and thereby the lifterframe may be swung to the position at the table l9 shown in Figure 2 atthe right, where the frame has been rotated on the shaft to present thecups 29 upwardly below the plane of the top edge of the wheels I 3.

In use, the chain I5 being in operation with the plate 55 on the tableI9, the motor I9 is operated to swing the arms 2| with the frame 39 toposition adjacent the table [9. The valve 35 will be open from theexhaust apparatus to the valve 33 but the latter is closed. If the plateis and before lifting of the frame 39 begins.

time

to be inverted, and deposited on the table 59, before lowering of thelifter frame the pin 21 is removed and the frame 39 rotated so that itwill occupy the position indicated at a in Figure 2, after which theshaft 22 may be pinned to 5 the arms 2| at 21 as before mentioned. Whenthe plate 55 moves over the frame 39 to a proper position for liftingits advancing edge will engage the arm 34 of the valve 33 opening thisvalve and causing the vacuum cups to engage the plate, and at the sametime the switch 39 will be closed to the forward circuit 4! causing themotor I9 tooperate to lift the frame 39 and its engaged plate, swingingthem through position b to inverted position indicated at c Figure 2over the table 59, at which time the plate will be a distance above thewheels I 3. At this time the table 50 is in lowered position, and thearm 38 will engage the stop switch 39 stopping the frame 39 in deliveryposition. The control of the liquid supply to the cylinder is nowmanipulated to bring the table 59 into supporting engagement with theplate, after which the valve 35 is closed to the exhaust pump and openedto the atmosphere permitting the cups of the frame 39 to release theplate. The operation of the valve may be utilized to operate a shuntswitch 56 to close the reverse circuit 42 past the switch 36.

The motor l9 now operates to return the frame 39 to initial or receivingposition adjacent the 90 table H3, in position to receive another platemoved over the table wheels I 3. Soon after return movement begins, thearm 37 of switch 36 clearing the last deposited plate 55 permits theswitch 36 to close in the reverse circuit 42. The arm 38 also 35 clearslever 43 and permits the switch 39 to close again in the forward circuit39, so that the latter is ready to be closed by the switch 36 when nextengaged by a plate on the table l9. The valve 35 is now operated toconnect the exhaust as far 40 as the valve 33, and to open the switch56. The valve arm 34 having cleared the plate 55 lately deposited, thevalve 33 will have automatically closed and is ready to be opened by thenext plate 55 engaging the arm 34.

As soon as the return or reverse movement of the frame 39 is completed,the arm 38 will engage the limit switch 40 in the reverse circuit,stopping the lifter frame 39 in receiving position over the table I9. Assoon as another plate is positioned over the frame 39 it will actuatethe switch 36 to close the forward circuit 4| and lift the plate, thecycle described being repeated.

In case the plate to be carried over from table I9 to table 59 is not tobe inverted, the frame is adjusted to the position shown at A, Figure 2,and the key 2'! engaged to lock the sprocket 25 to the sleeve 26. Theframe in this position does not pass below the wheels I3 but lies abovethem with the cups inverted, and when a plate moving 60 on table [9reaches proper position, the opening of the valve 33 by the plate willcause the cups to be drawn into proper engagement with the plate,immediately before the switch 35 is closed For proper operation of thelimit switch or circuit breaker 49 in this use an extension screw orstrike 51 may be provided adjustable on the arm 38 to insure operationof the switch 48 at the proper time. Theposition of the arms 2| andframe 39 over the table 59 at the delivery of the plate by the lastmethod (without inversion) will be the same as with the first methodwhen the plate was to be inverted, and so the function of the arm 38 andswitch 39, as well as the use of the '75 lifting table control will bethe same as before. But the frame with its load held by the cups will berotated by the chain 24 drawn by the locked sprocket 25, so that theframe and the plate carried thereby are moved past intermediate pointsin horizontal position as at 13, Figure 2.

In the wiring of the system, the switch 36 may be a simple double throwpole changer switch to the blades of which respective leads from theservice main are connected, and from the central or neutral outletcontact of the switch a wire 45 is led directly to one brush of themotor, while from the other two outlets respective wires 4 I -42 are ledto the limit switches 39 and 40. The outlets from the switches 39 and 40are bridged and connected to the other brush of the motor by a singlewire 44. I

I claim:-

1. A transfer for plates comprising a swinging frame having receivingand delivery positions, said frame having a multiplicity of suction cupsthereon, an exhaust conduit connected with the cups, means to swing theframe means to deliver plates to the receiving position of the frame, avalve in said conduit having an operating member projected in the pathof plates arriving at said receiving position, and means to control themeans to swing the frame including an operating member projected in thepath of plates arriving at said receiving position, means to control themeans to move the frame including stop devices and an operating memberoperatively connected with the frame to engage and operate the stopdevices at respective limits of movement of the frame.

2. A transfer device comprising a travelling frame, means on the frameto engage objects to be transferred, and'means responsive to engagementwith such objects to control the engaging means, an electric motoroperatively connected with the frame, a pole changer switch on the frameoperable by objects engaged for transfer, circuit breaking meansincluded in respective circuits from the polechanger to the motor toopen the circuits alternately, and means operatively connected with theframe movable to engage and operate respective circuit breakers atrespective limits of movement of the frame.

3. In a transfer device of the character described, a rotatable shaft,radial arms thereon, a shaft revoluble on the outer parts of the armsparallel to the first shaft, a transfer frame on the second shaft, meanson the frame to engage articles for transfer, a sprocket fixed on thesecond shaft, a second sprocket revoluble relative to and concentricwith the first shaft, a chain around the two sprockets and means to lockthe revoluble sprocket against rotation and to lock the second shaft onsaid arms alternatively at will.

4. In a transfer device of the character described, a conveyor table forplates, a receiving table for plates spaced laterally therefrom, atransfer device comprising a horizontal revoluble shaft parallel to thepath of the conveyor table and between the two tables, a. radial supportfixed thereon, a swinging revoluble member on the outer parts of theradial support, a transfer frame on said revoluble member having articleengaging means adapted to engage and fix an article with respect to thesecond named revoluble member, a sprocket 'revolublymounted concentric,with the first shaft, and a second sprocket fixed on the axis of thesecond revoluble part, an endless chain around the sprockets, 5 means tofix the first namedsprocket against rotation at times and means to fixthe second revoluble member to the radial support at other times.

5. A transfer device of the character described 1 comprising ahorizontal revolubly mounted shaft,

a reversible electric motor operatively connected therewith, a radialsupport on the shaft, a lifter frame revoluble on the outer part of theradial support, and having receiving and delivery posi- 15 tions atrespective limits of movement of the radial support, article engagingmeans on the lifter frame, means to move article into receivingposition, means on the lifter frame positioned to be engaged by articlesmoved to receiving position 20 to close forward and reverse circuits tothe motor, including means on the lifter frame tending to close thereverse circuit, and positioned to be engaged by articles moved toreceiving position and movable thereby to close the forward circuit 25and open the reverse circuit, stop switch devices included in theforward and reverse circuits respectively, normally tending to remainyieldingly closed, and means connected with the lifter frame to engagethe stop devices at'respective limits so of movement.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which the article engaging means includessuction cups, an exhaust conduit connection therewith a valve in theconduit located on the lifter frame adjacent the receiving position ofarticles, and having an operating arm in advance of said switch means onthe lifter frame to engage articles positioned for transfer and opensaid valve.

'7. The structure of claim 5 in which the article engaging meansincludes suction cups, an exhaust conduit connection therewith, a valvein the conduit located on the lifter frame adjacent the receivingposition of articles, and having an operating arm in advance of saidswitch means on the lifter frame to engage articles positioned fortransfer and open said valve, and an auxiliary switch to close saidreverse circuit when the said lifter frame is at delivery position.

8. The structure of claim 5 in which the article engaging means includessuction cups, an exhaust conduit connection therewith, a valve in theconduit located on the lifter frame adjacent the receiving position ofarticles, and having an operating arm in advance of said switch means onthe lifter frame to engage articles positioned for transfer and opensaid valve, an auxiliary switch to close said reverse circuit when thesaid lifter frame is at delivery position, and an auxiliary valveoperatively connected with the last named switch to close said exhaustconduit to the lifter frame, and open the vacuum cups to the atmosphereand to close said auxiliary switch on movement in one direction, and toopen the auxiliary switch and close the atmospheric communication andopen the exhaust duct to the valve on the lifter frame on movement in anopposite direction.

JOHN KRISTOF.

